Admiral R Hari Kumar, is an alumnus of J-Squadron, 61 Course National Defence Academy. He was commissioned into the Indian Navy on 01 Jan 1983 and has specialised in Gunnery.

Admiral R Hari Kumar has commanded Coast Guard Ship C-01, INS Nishank, INS Kora, INS Ranvir and INS Viraat. His other sea-going appointments include Fleet Operations Officer and Fleet Gunnery Officer of Western Fleet, EXO of INS Vipul, GO of INS Ranjit, Commissioning GO of INS Kuthar and Commissioning GO VIII of INS Ranvir. His ashore appointments include Command Gunnery Officer at HQ Western Naval Command, Naval Advisor to Government of Seychelles, Training Commander INS Dronacharya. His Flag appointments include Commandant of Naval War College at Goa, Flag Officer Sea Training, Flag Officer Commanding Western Fleet, Chief of Staff Western Naval Command, Controller Personnel Services and Chief of Personnel at IHQ MoD (N), and CISC/ VCDS at HQIDS. Prior to taking over as Chief of the Naval Staff, the Admiral was Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief Western Naval Command.

The Flag Officer had served in the Civil – Military Operations Centre of UN Mission in Somalia (UNOSOM II) at Mogadishu from Dec 1992 to Jun 1993. He attended the US Naval Staff Course at Naval War College, Rhode Island in 1996, Army Higher Command Course at AWC, Mhow in 2004, and the Royal College of Defence Studies, London in 2009. He holds a B.Sc. from JNU, MA (International Studies) from Kings College, London, MPhil (Defence & Strategic Studies) from Mumbai University and PG Diploma in Shipping Management from Narottam Morarjee Institute of Shipping, Mumbai.

He was awarded the Vishisht Seva Medal in 2010, Ati Vishisht Seva Medal in 2016 and Param Vishisht Seva Medal in 2021.

Admiral R Hari Kumar is a good swimmer, plays badminton and enjoys walking. He is married to Mrs Kala Nair who is presently a home maker. They have one daughter Ms Anjana Nair who is married to Mr Jayvijay and are currently working at Auckland, New Zealand.